ROCKLAND, Maine — Brake failure is blamed for a Sunday night crash that knocked over a Spanish-American War memorial.

Jonathan Ashley, 22, of Union was driving north on Main Street at about 8:30 p.m. and was attempting to turn left onto North Main Street when he reported his brakes failed, according to a Rockland Police Department police report.

The 1999 SUV drove onto Ulmer Park, knocked down a telephone pole and knocked over a large stone with a plaque that was erected in 1940 to honor the veterans of the Spanish-American War who served from 1898 to 1902, according to the report.

The telephone pole fell and struck a 2007 Toyota that was also heading north on Main Street, the report said. The pole struck the windshield of the vehicle, driven by Mellisa J. Fortuna, 49, of Rockport.

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The SUV ended up on the monument and ran over several political signs and left deep marks on the grass of the park, according to the report.

Ashley’s vehicle was reportedly destroyed. Damage to the monument was estimated at $3,000. Damage to the pole was estimated at $1,000. There was no estimate on the damage to Fortuna’s vehicle.